Topic: The richness of verbal and non-verbal expression in a work of literature .
Topic and focus of this lesson:
Zha's speech about the rape.
Broad goals to which this lesson contributes:
Understanding Form and Style
Reflecting on Skills and Strategies
Specific outcomes for this lesson: R and LS: 1.4,1.8, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1, 4.2
Materials: the play (pg.47-48)
Agenda:
Group presentations of Dishing It Out Activity (each group presents one character)
Reading Zha's rape speech by the teacher; one of the students reads stage directions for Nanabush
Circle Talk on the meaning of verbal and non-verbal expression in this part of the play.
Reflecting on own reactions to the scene.
Rubrics for the Reader's Response Assignment.
Key questions: (coaxing through Socratic questioning)
What does Nanabush do during Zha's speech?
Why Zha is not able to express her own pain?
Does Zha realize the gravity of the white boys' action?
What is the meaning of the playwright's choice to portray the painful experience in both verbal and non-verbal way?
Who does the rape of Zha affect?
What does the rape symbolize?
Homework:
Reader's Response Topics:
1.Thomson Highway constructs the rape of Zha as a double victimization(Native and mentally disabled). Other than personal harm suffered by Zha, what else does the rape illustrate?
Imbalance of power and the urge to subdue another person are at the root of acts of violence. Analyze the fight in the store scene in the view of power shifting from balanced to unbalanced.
Recorded oral reflection: Myths, legends, fairy tales, stories: natural and supernatural in human life; creating of a hero figure.
Due: Friday (2 days)
Zha's speech about the rape.
Understanding Form and Style
Reflecting on Skills and Strategies
Reader's Response Topics:
Due: Friday (2 days)